As if there weren't enough drama, what with the first outdoor NFL game in Minnesota in 29 years on a snowy, frozen field that punter Chris Kluwe called "unplayable," Brett Favre is back in play.

The Minnesota Vikings host the Chicago Bears tonight in TCF Bank Stadium -- the only part of Minnesota that, evidently, is actually outdoors. And now, Favre's status has been upgraded to questionable.

Favre will test his arm and shoulder (he has a sternoclavicular injury) about three hours before the game. Eric Sugarman, the Vikings' head athletic trainer, told the team's website:

"Brett Favre attempted to throw the football two days ago and was unable to, due to pain in the SC joint and residual numbness from a brachial plexus injury," Vikings head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman told the team's website Vikings.com. "He declared himself out at that time. He woke up this morning feeling much improved. His symptoms and function have improved dramatically over the past 24 hours. In fairness to him and his team, he would like to be given the opportunity to play tonight if physically able."

Vikings officials told the NFL and Bears that Favre's status had changed Monday morning. According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, nothing in the rules would prevent a team from changing an injury report designation. "If a player's medical status changes during the course of the week, the club must update his playing status accordingly prior to the game," Aiello said. "That is what the Vikings did when Brett's status changed today."

Last week, Favre was limited to the role of advisor to Joe Webb; he hasn't thrown a pass since being hit by Arthur Moats of the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 5. "He was asking me ... 'If I play, the cold, is it gonna ...' and I said, 'You know what? Once you start playing you won't even feel it,'" Favre said. "I think he'll be cold, but he's got the right mentality and guys love him. You've got to find out what he can do at some point."

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